Guide to Undergraduate or Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Business
Bachelor’s degrees in various business fields happen to be one of the leading paths that students take post-high school. Not only because chasing a business field guarantees hefty pay, but also longevity in career.
But there are a ton of different business school programs and categories out there. Moreover, a bachelor’s degree in business comes with many specializations or concentrations. That’s where the students find it challenging and wonder how they can pick the right degree for them.
It’s more about picking the bachelor’s in business program that suits their ambitions. So, today, we’re walking you through the basics of a bachelor’s degree in business. We’ll talk about the courses, as well as the type of skills you’ll learn in a business degree, and the specializations you can pursue.
We’ll also explore the benefits of online vs on-campus degrees and talk about the kind of salaries and jobs you can get with these degrees. So, let’s dive right into it.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Business?
A bachelor’s degree in business is a four-year program that covers all the nuances of business management. Usually, these degrees are titled bachelor’s in business management or business administration degrees.
That’s why you might see their short form, i.e., BBA (Bachelor’s in Business Administration) or BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration). Then there are various specializations in the business spectrum, but we’ll talk about that later.
The key differences between a pure business administration degree and a science in business degree include primary focus, coursework, and career path. Here’s a table to help you understand:
| Bachelor of Science in Business (BS) | Features | Bachelors in Business (BA) |
| Focus on a scientific discipline such as math-oriented and STEM courses in business. | Focus | Focus on business principles, including management, marketing, etc. |
| Business courses including finance, marketing, with additional science-focused coursework. | Coursework | Courses emphasizing marketing, finance, accounting, management, etc. |
| Blend of science with business, i.e., Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Environmental Management, etc. | Career Industries | Traditional business career, including marketing (digital and traditional), finance, management, etc. |
| Project Managers, Product Managers, or Business Analysts | Roles | Business Analysts, Managers, Consultants, or Entrepreneurs |
Yet, it’s important to remember that business degree specialization usually falls into 4 core areas:
- Business Administration/Management
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Accounting/Finance
Thus, giving the student an understanding of all the important areas of a business. This focus on various important elements of a business allows the student to be a skilled professional in their specific field. For example supply chain degree. And, if they choose a particular specialization, then the courses will be more focused on that.
So, the idea of these business degrees is to help the student develop theoretical and practical skills that deal with everyday elements of a business. Therefore, these degrees offer focus and concentration on different subjects throughout the four-year program.
What Courses Are in Focus In a Business Bachelor’s Degree Program?
The courses in a business degree program usually depend on the specialization. But, when you put that particular specialization aside, you will find that some core courses are the same as most business degrees. For instance, a BS in Accounting degree and a BBA degree will both have some similar courses.
This will include courses like Accounting, Corporate Finance, Statistics, etc. However, the major courses will be different for each degree. The purpose of these courses is to provide a thorough understanding of that specific field of study.
So, to keep it simple, here are some of the common courses that are usually in focus in most bachelor’s programs for business:
| Degree Focus | Core Courses | Specialized Courses |
| General Business Administration | Introduction to Business
Financial Accounting Business Law Principles of Management |
Strategic Management
International Business Organizational Behavior |
| Finance | Financial Accounting
Corporate Finance Investment Analysis |
Financial Markets and Institutions
Risk Management Portfolio Management |
| Marketing | Principles of Marketing
Consumer Behavior Marketing Research |
Digital Marketing
Brand Management Sales Strategy |
| Human Resource Management (HRM) | Principles of Management
Organizational Behavior Employment Law |
Talent Management
Compensation and Benefits Labor Relations |
| Operations and Supply Chain Management | Operations Management
Supply Chain Management Logistics |
Inventory Management
Lean Operations Procurement and Sourcing |
| Entrepreneurship | Business Planning
New Venture Creation Strategic Management |
Venture Capital and Financing
Innovation and Creativity Social Entrepreneurship |
| Accounting | Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting Taxation |
Auditing
Forensic Accounting |
Other than that, you’ll find specialization courses in business degrees, such as Human Resource Management for HR degrees or Marketing Management for marketing degrees. Thus, the specialization of the degree also dictates the kind of courses you find in a business curriculum.
Besides, some universities offer specific majors in a business degree, with optional minors. Therefore, the minor’s curriculum also includes additional courses. These are some of the things you need to keep in mind before picking a business degree to pursue.
Which Specialization Should You Pick?
This is another thing that might be nagging you; what business specialization should you pick? Well, a better question is; how many business specializations are there for a bachelor’s degree? There are quite a few, but we’ll keep it simple for you.
In a business degree, the specialization or concentration depends on the field that it focuses on. So, an accounting degree might be called a finance degree. On the other hand, you might pursue an operations management specialization to handle everyday business elements.
So, a few main specializations you’ll find in such degrees include:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Operations Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Analytics
There are plenty more specializations as well, but these are the main ones that students usually pursue. So, which one should you pick? You should pick the one that aligns the most with your interests and abilities.
If you’re a people’s person, then marketing or human resources might be the career path for you. Otherwise, you can try analytics or finance if you’re good with numbers. So, play into your strengths and check out courses, programs, and specializations while focusing on which ones suit you the best.
Online vs. On-Campus Business Bachelor’s Degree
Both the online and on-campus business degrees have their benefits and drawbacks. You can pick an online bachelor’s in business degree if you are someone who cannot travel a lot and needs to work a job while studying. And, if you can afford it, then going to an on-campus class for a degree has it’s own perks.
For instance, if you’re going to an on-campus university, you get to make the most of their services, such as:
- Access to library or other resources;
- Ability to stay in touch with fellow students;
- And teachers at your disposal for queries.
Now, you have other certain benefits by pursuing an online degree. For example, you get to attend classes while you’re at home. So, no need to travel and no need to be there at a certain time, as some classes happen to be recorded and some courses are at-your-pace ones.
However, the main thing you should consider is which one is more convenient for you. So, consider things like:
- The programs nearest to you;
- The programs that are most affordable;
- Good curriculums and courses;
- And affordable fee plus a hefty acceptance rate.
This should allow you to pick the option that’s more suitable for you, be it online or on-campus. Here are some of the top online and on-campus programs around the US today:
| University | Degree | Degree Type |
| UF Online | Bachelor of Arts or Science In Business Administration | Online |
| ASU Online | Bachelor of Arts – Business Administration | Online |
| University of Illinois | Bachelor of Business Administration | On-Campus |
| Strayer University | Bachelor of | On-Campus |
| PLNU | Bachelor of Business Administration | Hybrid |
Enrollment Requirements for a Business Bachelor Degree
You will be required to have a high-school diploma or an equivalent academic qualification to enroll into a bachelor’s degree. Now, you might wonder, what kind of qualifications is equivalent of a high-school diploma?
You can always enroll into GED (General Education Development) programs to get the basis correct. So, to enroll into a bachelor’s degree for business, make sure you have a few things:
- Get a high-school diploma or GED certification;
- Meet the university’s GPA requirements;
- Prepare for college/university entrance exam;
- Get a recommendation letter;
- And write a solid statement/admission essay.
And doing this should prepare you for the enrollment.
Common Entry and Mid-Level Jobs after Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business
There are quite a few jobs you can pursue after a bachelor’s degree in business. Mind you, it also depends on the specialization that you opt for, but some of the job titles are constant for all business graduates. This includes:
- Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Business Consultant
- Operations Manager
- HR Specialist or Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Management Analysts
- Sales Manager
There are plenty more, and each specialization opens up even more job titles. So, you have to pick your niche/industry wisely and then pick the degree major accordingly. This should allow you to pursue the field that you most wish to.
Salary and Job Outlook for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business
There are quite a few opportunities for business graduates in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there are around 12.9 million jobs for business graduates in the US— as of this writing.
However, another key statistic to bear in mind is that those are 12+ million jobs in the business industry only. In other fields, there are more than 59+ million jobs. But let’s narrow it down to some of the fields and job titles we know and are in-demand. According to BLS, some job titles have specific job outlooks, such as:
| Job Title | Job Outlook |
| Accountants and Auditors | 4% |
| Budget Analysts | 3% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 6% |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | 7% |
| Project Management Specialists | 6% |
| Financial Analysts | 8% |
| Financial Examiners | 20% |
Source: BLS
Now, bear in mind that these are only seven of the endless potential job titles and fields for business graduates. You can find jobs for business grads in various industries and here are some main categories:
- Management Occupations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Sales and sales-related job titles
- Office administration and management
- Human resource departments
- Accounts and finance departments
How much do you potentially earn from these job titles in the respective fields? Let us go back to the jobs that we explored, and you’ll see that each has a median pay of:
| Job Title | Median Pay |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,880 |
| Budget Analysts | $84,940 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $67,650 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,530 |
| Project Management Specialists | $98,580 |
| Financial Analysts | $99,890 |
| Financial Examiners | $84,300 |
Source: BLS
So, regardless of the concentration/major you choose, the career prospects are promising for a bachelor’s in business degree holder.
Conclusion: What’s Next?
What’s next is you deciding the type of college or university that suits you the most. This could mean a university that offers on-campus classes or one that’s online. Or, a university that offers just the right curriculum that you wish to study and become an expert of.
So, do your research, and understand the degree options, courses, curriculums, faculties, etc. After that, pick a program that resembles what you need in a business bachelor’s degree program.
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